Digital Nomads

I enjoy when people ask me how I'm able to do it because then I can explain to them that I spend less per month being a digital nomad in Latin America than I would ON RENT ALONE back home.

My line which is 1/2 true (or better) is that I quit my corporate job and sold my house and all my possessions and am traveling until that money runs out.

It's great because it could mean anything money-wise, it's super relatable (who hasn't imagined doing it), and frames you as not (too) rich or privileged, just crazy.

The truth is that was what I actually did. I just happened to get offered a ton of consulting jobs once former coworkers and colleagues found out I was available. Now I work like 12 hours a week and make the same amount I used to.

The average person has no idea how to leverage money

They are low-key jealous of you. They are trying to figure out how to do it themselves.

"How do you afford to travel all the time?"

"I work hard and my job is remote."

Pretty simple.

Yes it can see that you are tired of talking about it.

The money part is actually fairly easy to explain, at least in my case. I can simply tell them that I've spent most of the past couple of years in ex-Soviet countries where even temporary accommodation will be cheaper or barely more expensive than what I'd pay back home for long term rent. It's even more convincing considering many of them are mortgaged up to the eyeballs for stupidly expensive homes because NZ is a horrifically dysfunctional and regressive shithole when it comes to anything housing related. There's nothing stopping some of them from cashing up on their capital gains and moving to SE Asia and living a little more minimally on their savings or even on passive rental income or something, but they're still not going to do it.

As for the envy part, I don't think there's much point in trying to combat it. People tend not to understand anything about such a lifestyle and even if you try to explain it to them, they often aren't truly interested in listening, so I generally don't bother. Suits me just fine because I don't tend to bring it up unless absolutely necessary. Since I don't seek out nomad types and don't know any IRL, I only really have one friend/acquaintance who properly grasps some of the less obvious realities, difficulties and sacrifices of such a lifestyle and can empathise - it really helps that she had a stint working on a cruise ship as that presents some similar challenges. Almost everyone else assumes everything is amazing all of the time and it's not unusual for them to react with blind envy or even hostility.

Idk be more discerning about who you spend time with and open up to.

I literally never have this problem.

I hear you. These days people don't really ask me anymore. Sometimes they'll say stuff like "You're STILL traveling?!" which is a bit frustrating BC we are trying to settle down but it's quite difficult to transition from FT DN to...something else. It's funny though bc it would be a huge faux pas for me to walk into someone's home and be like "Wow! This house is nice! How do you afford it? Can you teach me how to afford a house this nice?" Sounds mental. But bc our lifestyles are niche it's socially acceptable to ask these questions.

Just choose not to be offended at people's curiosity.

There, I fixed your life for you.

Keep working hard bro and don't listen to haters.

This doesn’t answer your question but I’m curious what you do for work? I’m having trouble finding remote corporate jobs and being a digital nomad is something that really interests me!

Would love a remote job that allows me to do that! any leads?

The sugar daddy especially and these assumptions are just straight up misogynistic, you have a lot of value people have trouble accepting

I think it is because many people see digital nomads as freelancers with irregular income or self employed people trying to get their business off the ground. They think digital nomads are broke. That being said, many digital nomads don’t make a lot of money, to be honest. I don’t think the vast majority chooses cheap places like Thailand, Colombia, Brazil, Indonesia, Philippines, etc. just because of the great nature there; they can’t afford places like South of France.

And yes, some people are plain jealous. They are conditioned by the society to believe that only 9-5 jobs with commute to the office are legit. They even lash out of people working from home let alone work remotely and travel the world.

Let them struggle in their own misery…that comment about “sugar daddy” was utterly rude though. I’d have called them out on it.

where do you typically rent ? never saw a place for like ... 100 dollars a month. or lets say 200?.

Keep on travelling. Screw them. You are living.

People are just curious, I always thought it comes from a place of "envy" and surprise or amusement. Like they wish they could do it and they want to know how it's done without breaking one's bank. I always tell them it sounds better than what it is sometimes, and that I still work a 9-5 and that's how I afford to stay in different places and see things in my free time.

Well done for making it work btw!

So sick of questions from people I meet overseas and from friends and family. I think you have the answers in your comment already but I find it is really about owning it when you talk to others. For me, it's confidently giving them a quick laundry list: I live cheaply, in cheap countries, we sacrifice by not having kids, by not owning a car, I gave up a +10yr good corporate job and all the nice lunches and craft beers to do what I do. We do without a nice permanent house, we avoid being materialistic.

And then I state that I know I am lucky to be able to do what I do; that it's a mix of choice, hard work and luck

It sounds like you've really mastered the art of budget travel and making the most of your remote work situation. It can be frustrating when people don't understand the lifestyle choices and sacrifices that come with being a digital nomad. My advice? Just keep doing what works for you. And hey, speaking of budget travel, you might find Rebookify useful for hotel deals. It's a neat way to save a bit extra, especially when you're constantly on the move. Keep living your dream and let the results speak for themselves

How do you deal with it?

“I’ve been really lucky and I’m great at my job though I don’t think I could be doing this if I had to pay for kids or a mortgage”.

If you are tired take a break. Have a rest.

How do you find deals to travel budget? I use cryptmi card for some extra cashback and for the ease of use abroad but would like to hear your tips. Because it's not that easy as I experienced

This question never ever comes up. Not from my friend's at home, or the ones i make in the country im in. Even the locals never ask. Who is asking you these questions?

How do you afford the nicer airbnb's? And like all the flights too.....

I would not divulge I was a DN. It just works against you in some way sometime in the future especially when it comes to a profession and others you work with. Be honest, but be economical with the truth. It's not doing anything for you. I made this mistake. I lived in the US aboard a 50ft yacht. It was fun to talk about, but people talk to other people and soon they are forming private impressions that affect unforeseen future situations when you're not present. There's no upside.

This is rude. No one should ask you how much you make or how you can afford such and such. When they start to talk finances, shut them down. This would apply whether you are nomad or not.

And wow when you book for longer stays on Airbnb they get way cheaper. I was spending wayyy less money travelling Western Europe then what I spend now at home (in Canada). People are shocked